State Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, will lead a weeklong trade mission to Cambodia, where he hopes to promote Southwest Washington agriculture and architecture.
"The whole idea is to strengthen both trade and governmental ties with another country," Benton said. "Washington state is the most trade-dependent state in the nation, as you know. The more we strengthen our ties with the Pacific Rim partners, the better."
Benton said he will take unpaid time off from his position as Clark County's director of environmental services. He will be acting in his capacity as state senator but said he will spend $2,200 from his own bank account. Some additional costs may be paid by the government of Cambodia, he said, and no state funds will be used for the trip.
"We're trying to generate more business and more imports and exports for Washington state and efforts like this pay off," Benton said.
"I think a lot of folks still see Cambodia as a poor, Third World country and they may not realize the prosperity and growth they have had in the last 10 years."